Baton Rouge - Former LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu has put his playing career on hold to undergo drug rehabilitation at a Houston clinic where he has been since Monday.

Chris Granger/The Times-PicayuneTyrann Mathieu has checked into a drug rehab facility in Houston.

A source confirmed to The Times-Picayune the media reports that Mathieu was in rehab indefinitely. The Heisman finalist and All-American who was kicked off the team Aug. 10 for failing multiple drug tests, was expected to transfer to a Football Championship Subdivision team soon but his uncle, Tyrone Mathieu, told Fox-8 that Mathieu's health is the family's biggest concern.

Mathieu is under the guidance of former NBA guard John Lucas at Right Step recovery in Houston.

Lucas, the NBA's No. 1 pick in 1976, has worked as a counselor to athletes with substance abuse problems after cocaine and alcohol troubles disrupted his career. He worked for a short time with former LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who was the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft in 2007.

Mathieu has not spoken publicly since Aug. 7 at LSU's media day. He did post on Twitter on Thursday without reference to his current whereabouts.

"Football is like life - it requires perseverance, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for Self!", he wrote.

Former LSU defensive back LaRon Landry of the New York Jets said he tried unsuccessfully to help Mathieu. He developed a relationship with him when he heard stories about the way he played.

A few weeks ago he was asked by several people including some "coaches" to reach out to Mathieu. But Mathieu stopped answering texts. Landry tried a Twitter message saying "Just answer the phone" but did not hear from Mathieu.

"He's a guy who got caught up living the life," Landry told Yahoo! Sports. "Not being smart as a student-athlete. You gotta take the initiative and know the rights and wrongs. Ask yourself what's important in life."

LSU Coach Les Miles said he spoke with Mathieu on Tuesday night when Mathieu was exploring the possibility of a return to LSU in 2013. Miles said he advised Mathieu "just to make a great decision, do the right things. He'll do that," Miles said. "I just wanted him to know we'll support him in whatever he wants to do. At this point in time he has to do the things that make him happy and make sense for his future. Then we'll all be happy."

Mathieu was booted off the team Friday and visited McNeese State the same day and also has expressed interest in Nicholls State. Both are FCS schools (Division 1-AA) where Mathieu would become eligible immediately.